Speaker 1: Hey, how's it going. How's your weekend? It sure is
hot outside. Oh did you see the game last night?
This is how we get the conversation going in American English.
Let's dive in.
Speaker 2: Welcome to another Happy English podcast, coming to you from
New York City. And here's your English teacher, Michael.
Speaker 1: All right, thank you John, and thanks everyone. It's Michael
here from Happy English and I help people speak English better.
And this is Happy English Podcast eight sixty one, How
to make small Talk in English. Hello, and welcome, Thanks
for tuning in today. I want to talk about something
that might seem small, but it actually plays a big
role in everyday English, and that's small talk. Small talk
is one of those things that isn't really taught in textbooks,
but it's something people do all the time in English
speaking countries. And if you've ever found yourself in an
awkward elevator ride or sitting next to someone on a
train and didn't know what to say, this episode is
for you. Let's get to it. What is small talk anyway?
Small talk is basically casual conversation, nothing too deep, nothing
too serious. It's the kind of thing people say to
be polite, friendly, or just to connect with another person.
In American culture, small talk happens everywhere, at work, at
the coffee shop with your neighbor, even in line at
the grocery store. And I think one of the reasons
that we engage in small talk is because Americans aren't
comfortable in silence when there are other people near them.
That's why in the US, even a total stranger might
strike up a conversation with you by saying something like, Hey,
how's it going or beautiful day, isn't it now? When
you hear how's it going or how are you? Do
they really want your full life story? Probably not, but
they're just being friendly. And that's what small talk is.
A way to break the ice and start a light,
easy conversation. By the way, break the ice means to
start a conversation in a new or awkward situation, like
when you meet someone for the first time and say
something light to get things going. Like I told a
joke to break the ice with my new coworkers. It
doesn't have to be deep, it just has to be friendly.
So what can you say to make small talk? Well?
Keep in mind that an English conversation generally starts with
a question. We call these questions openers because they open
the conversation. And here are a few basic openers you
can use to break the ice and make small talk. So,
how is your weekend? Crazy weather? We've been having? Huh? Hey?
Did you see the game last night? These are simple,
natural ways to start a converse, especially at work, at school,
or even with someone you've just met at a party.
There are, of course, a simple set of openers in English.
I call them the hows and watts. Let's tackle the
hows first. These are questions like how are you, how's
it going? And how's everything? Think of these as having
a similar meaning to hello. If someone says, hey, how
are you, it's not such a deep question like this
is weird?
Speaker 3: Hey how are you? Oh? You know, my stomach doesn't
feel so good and I think I'm coming down with
a fever.
Speaker 1: That's not how this works. The most common response to hey,
how are you is something like I'm good? How are you?
Or hey, how are you?
Speaker 2: Oh?
Speaker 1: Not bad? How's it going? Notice that the reply is
short and sweet, and then we follow that with a
question I'm good, how are you? Not too bad? How's
it going? Questions start the conversation in English, and they
move the conversation along. Without this kind of question, the
conversation would end quickly. Hey how are you? I'm good?
See the difference. The next type of openers are the
what's like, what's new, what's up? And what's happening? Listen
carefully to what I have to say next. What's new
doesn't mean what's new. Yeah you heard that right, But
let me say it one more time. What's new doesn't
mean what's new. What's new means let's chat. Let's have
a conversation. And since I asked what's new, you can
pick the topic, and the three most common topics you
can use to reply to what's new are the weather, sports,
and food. It goes something like this, Hey, how are you?
Speaker 3: Not too bad? How about you?
Speaker 2: I'm okay?
Speaker 1: So what's new?
Speaker 3: Crazy weather? We've been having? Huh? I know the humidity
is brutal? Or like this, Hey, how's it going? I'm good? Thanks?
How about you?
Speaker 1: Me too? So what's happening?
Speaker 3: Did you see the Dodger game last night? What a game?
Speaker 1: Totally?
Speaker 2: Oh?
Speaker 1: Tawani hit another home run? Or like this one?
Speaker 3: Hey, how's everything not too bad? Thanks? How about you?
Speaker 2: Two?
Speaker 1: So what's up?
Speaker 3: Not too much. I just had lunch. What did you eat?
I had a burger at the diner not so healthy,
but it was good.
Speaker 1: I hear you was that the diner on thirty seventh
in Broadway? So in each case, the conversation started with
a how question, then a what question, and then moved
on with some how about yous and other follow up questions.
That's the basics of a small talk conversation in English.
And here's one more important thing to remember. In American English,
it's polite to ask a question back, don't just answer
and go silent. So if someone says, hey, how was
your weekend, you can say it was good? How about you?
That back and forth is key in small talk. Without
it the conversation stuff. And look, you don't need to
be a stand up comedian or super talkative. You just
need a few friendly phrases and a willingness to engage.
All right, let's wrap up today we looked at small
talk and why it matters. And here's your takeaway. Small
talk is casual, friendly conversation, not deep, not serious. Start
with simple questions how was your weekend? Or what's up?
Ask a follow up question to keep the conversation going.
And remember in American culture, small talk is polite, even
expected in many situations. So the next time you're in
the elevator or waiting in line, or talking to a coworker,
try a little small talk. It might feel strange at first,
but the more you practice, the more natural it becomes.
And if you really want to get some more practice
using your English, you should join my podcast Learner's study group.
There you can make new international friends, join us for
live group lessons every week where we practice these podcast
lessons together. Plus you get access to the pdf, transcript
and audio download for every Happy English podcast in the
past and in the future. And on top of that,
each episode has exercises where you can practice this English
point with speaking and writing checked by me. To learn more,
just visit Myhappy English dot com and choose podcast lesson
eight sixty one. Remember, learning another language is not easy,
but it's not impossible, and I'm here to help you
on your journey.
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